Overhead trolley system



Sept. 7, 1943.; s. HOLTMEIER. 2,323,906

OVERHEAD. TROLLEY SYSTEMS Filed Feb. 3, 1942 inventor LOUIS 5'. H01, TMEIEB (Ittotncg f ak t S pt. 7 1943. *1 o c f Vehicles dif e to departifrom a. continuou'smor angular efating condition the'" I trolley frog fses ments I and 2 by means oi -clamping elements '23 and 24, which devices are likewise well-known 'to-the arts. 'On the opposite side of the trolley frog pan are disposed another plurality of trolley wires'l9, 2l3, 2| and 22, Whichare secured to the clamps and 25, 2'l and 28, similar in construc tion to clamps 23 and 24. It will be observed from inspection of the drawing that conductors l9 and 2| lead on at an angle fromthe-straight through conductors Hand 18, 20 and 2 2' for pur-g poses likewise well-known to the art.

Each of the pan devices l and 21s equipped with pivotally mounted tongue elements 29 and 30 that are secured and rigidly held on pivots 7 3| and 32 rotatably supported in a boss or bearing element 32a, it being understood that there is a boss element 32a disposed on each of'the pan. elementsal and 2; Connected to the upperf end of each of the pivots "3 I and 32 :are deflector elements Band 35 secured to the said pivots 3i and 32:by appropriate setscrews or other con- .venient holding devices; elements has a tail' piece 35 and ,3j9 integrally associated therewithand each are'toggle connected-to brackets Stand 40 secured toappropriate bosses? 42', as ,moreyparticularly shown in The toggle connections comprise rocl elements '37, and 4| pivotallyconnected-l to the ;endof ,theytail' pieces 35 and 39 and eachhas a spring 1133'; andl lla surrounding the said rod elements interposed between one portion of the I brackets 40 andttv and the-header collar on the rods3'l and 4|. .The free-end of thegroclsfi'l and v4 I1 is. relatively; slidable in an appropriate :Japerture'inthe' upright portion of the brackets -36'and 40;

On, the opposite ends of the deflector plates -.33'and 34aredisposed a pair of rods 56 and a,

-' having clevises 5l -j and 5la and each'provided ,with pins 62,:ahd53 that'pass through slots- 50 -andifil 'formed in'the defiectorelements 33. and

34;; These slots are substantially V-shaped. The

apice'slpof, the:-V slots point in the directionof the conductors Hand l8.; Connectedbetween' theiclevises 5| and 5la is aninsulatingrod 43 lock-nuts .46 and; the said threaded ends'passingthroughbracket elements 48 and -4 9 integrallyqass'ociated with the clevises 5L; 5la. Appro- *priat'e springsJMandAE are disposed between I shoulder portionszon-the rod 43 and theabracket elements 48;,andj49 for the purpose of maintain ing a proper spacing between rods 50. 5Ela-and,

- also,- to provide for a lost motion connection betweenthe said'two deflector elements 33 and 34.

' ,The opposite "ends oftherods; 50 and 50a, have collars 52 :and 52a arranged; thereon. Rods 5E3 .-and. 50a. pass through apertures in the bracket (portions 54 and 54a, said apertures being in sub- 1 stantial ali'gnment with the plane of thedeflector plates 33 and ,34." Springs 56and61interposed between the a} said collars 52 and52a and the brackets 54 and 54a- ;anda pair of-nut elements 53 'and'53a maintainthe relative position-of the rods 50 'and'f5llaand theyb-racket elements 54 as drawing. Secured to the bracketsi5l and 54a conductor contactor elements 55, 55' which in is intended to continue straight ahead onto the.

g the instant illustration are in the form of the .i8, each of which are fastened to the pan ele-.

segment of a circle and to prevent the said 0011- tactor elements from dropping below a predetermined plane they are equipped with a bridging element 56 to prevent such excessive relative motion. The trolley wire conductor ll likewise has its pair of contactor elements, 51, 51 bridged by element 58 which serves the same-function as theele'me'nt 55.

The operation of the device is substantially "as follows: Assuming that a vehicle is passing underneath the overhead trolley switching device when it is in the position of Fig. 1, and it wires 2!] and 22-from the wires I1 and. E8. The current collector engageable with conductor ll will contact the contacting devices .51, 5? and Each oiithe deflector Y that; has threaded metal ends; and provided with l the'same time rod ,43 will be axially moved by clevis bracket 49 and drawthe rod5iia down" below the apex M of the slot 5? thereby placing v urge rod 50a forward under the influence of "spring 61 such/that .pin 52 can go-into engage the pin 6i .to its originalposition.

elevate it as the collector passes underneath the same; 'The upward motion of the contactor 51 will shift the pin element 62 to the end of the v upper portion of the slot Bland. simultaneously draw pin 6| to the opposite side of theapex of slot 6|. By this time the contactor engageable with conductor lBwill have engaged contactor 55 and both pins will beurged against the upper ends of the respective slots. The rods 50 and 5th, will move in a substantially-parallel pathwhen rod 43'has drawn rod 58 past the apex 65 of deflector 54. Since tongues 29 and 30 are already in proper position nothing will happen and springs 6t and fi'l'vvill absorb the upward motion of contactors55. 55, 57, 51 after the pins engage theu'ppe'r endlof slots 5i! and fil. As soon as the current collectorshave passed underneath the contactors they will be returned by gravitational action to their lowermost position and the'action' cfsprin'gs 45 and 65 will restore 'lWhen it is desired by the operator straight-through position of Fig. 1: tott he turn off positio n,- as indicatediin Fig. .2, he willstart to turn his vehicle at the-proper point and thereby bring the current collector engageable by reason ofthe parallelogram formed by the horizontal projectionjof the trolley. poles, the

base pivotal points m ne current lcpllectors. The contactor elements 55, 55willbe elevated or pivoted about pivot.'59 'and will then urge the .pin' 63 to the base or. end'of the lowerportion of" theslot 6| under the infiuence'of spring 55. At

reason of the nut elements 47. engaging the rods 5i! and [50a substantiallyfparallel to each other. After this motionhas'taken place the current collector engageable with conductor ll will have engaged with contact elements 51, 5"!

and the upward motion of these elements will ment with'the' base 'of th'e lower portion of slot 50. Continued-motionfof the vehicle .will" urge I, and :rotatableabout the pivot 59 "are -pairs of;

the pins 62 and 63 into engagement with ends or bases of therespectiveslots and cause the deflector-elements 53 and 34 to be rotated about their respectivepivots 3i and. 32' such that the frog; elements-29 and 30 will be brought "into alignment with the conductors l9 an ZL The s s a to have the tongue elements 29 and 50 shifted from theo 'zi nl an overhead trolley system a pair-of pans in spaced relationship; a' single conductor con- 'nected'toone' end of eachfof said pans; a pair ofconductors corinected' to the Q i pOsite end of said pans; a-pin rotatably mounted in each pan; a tongue secured to one end of each of said'pins adeflector pl 'ate securedto the other'endbf each of saidf pins'and having av slot in ea'clr'plate who'se"*'apeX extends 'towards -"sai d'single conductors; clevises associated with said slots having pins disposed on the diverging sidesof said V q slotsj'rods connectedtosaid'clevises'; contactors and bracket mechanisms pivotallyconnected to rods by continued upward motion of said con: tactors shifting said'tongues'; andmeans to restore said rods to their diverging relationshipu each of saidpans; said contactors adapted for verticalrnovement relative to said pans; said rods slidable with respect .to said bracketsand v contactors and-having a lost" motion connection therewith; means-transversely connecting "said' -rods; said "contactors"Qupon vertioal movement axially moving said rods to rotate said tongues to selectively align same with'either of "said pairs efq ee l l v j, c w 1' 3;.'- I n a trolley-frog shifting mechanism; a pair oi pans held-in spaced relation; pin= connected 1 tongue and deflector-elementsrotatably mounted oneach of said pans; means to shift said'deflec-' tors to-rot'ate said pins and tongues relative to 1 said *pans ,"incl iding pivoted contactor mans'associated with'said pans'and rod means con'nect- 'ing' said, deflectors and said contactor means;

means transversely connecting-said rod means;

and 's aidf'contactor means and-"said deflector In'eans'being so constructed and arranged such a that said tongues will be selectively shifted deq pending uponwhich'of said-contactors is first fof said pans a conductor connected to one end of each of said pans; contactor elementspivotally connected to said pans and movable vertically with; respect to said; conductorsfand means conjnecti'ng each of said deflectors and said contac- Etors;- a lost motion connection connecting said rodsand said contactors; said deflectors having V slots therein pointing in" the direction of said conductors; means associating said rods with said slots; means to maintain said rods on 'di- 1 I verging side's of said slots" including a transverse "ro'd Connectingsaid rods and spring elements on said transverse rod to: keep said rods diverged; means to restore said'rod to diverged condition 4, 'In an overhead trolley switch system; a pair 19i; pansfh'eld in spaced relationship; p'ivotally i mounte'd tongueanddeflector elementson each after operation and toggle means to keep said w tongues and deflectors in adjustedposition.

5. In an overhead trolley system; a pair-of pansheld in spaced relationship; tongue andde- "fljector plate elements pivotally associated oneach pan and adapted to pivot in unison; conductors a connected'to oneend of said pans; contactorelements pivoted to said pans and movable yertically with respect to said conductors; bracket elements on said contactors'; rod means associated with each of said brackets; clevises on each of said rods .engageable in V slots formed in'said' deflectors'fa lost motion connection associating said rods and said brackets; a'transverse rod connecting said rods and slidable with respect thereto; spring means to keep said "rods on the diverging sides of said V slots; means to limit the diverging motion of said rods-toggle. means to keep said deflectors and tongues in adjusted position; said contactors when moved selectively upwardly moving said rods into substantially parallel"'-relation--and upon forwardmotion ofsaid 6. In 'an" overhead trolley system; a pair of pans; 'ineans to-hold same in a spaced relation-v ship; a conductorconnectedto oneend of. each of's'aid pans; a tongue and deflector plate operatively connected together and mounted-for pivotalf'rnotion on each of said pans; -a contactor element pivotally mounted on each-of said pans for vertical movement with respect to' said coni ductor s; eachof said deflector plates 'having'a V slot therein whose apex pointsin the direction" of said conductors; a clevis'and pin associated with each of said slots; rod meansconnecting each of said contactors with each of said clevises including a lost motion spring connection associv ating said contactorsxwith said rods; and means to normally maintain said clevises on the diverg- -'ing sides of said V slots.

In an overhead trolleysystem; a pair of'pan elements supported in spaced relationship; a conductor connected to one endof each of said pans; a pivot pin rotatably associated with each of said pans; a'deflect'or anditongue element fixed toea'ch of said pins in'each of said pans; a contactor' elementpivotally associated with each of -said pans; "a pair of conductors fixed to the other end of each of said pans; means connecting each of said contactors withits corresponding de-w of said pans of conductors; 7' l n n v '8. In a trolley switching assembly; a pair of pan elements; 'pivotally'mounted shifting means 'thereonincluding tongue andideflector elements, shiftable' in a horizontal plane; contactor ele- '-ments 'fixed to each of said'pans and adapted to move in a vertical plane; means connecting each of said contactor elements With one of said. tongue'an'd deflector elements; transverse means connecting each of said'last mentioned means; said tongue, transverse connecting means and deflector elements being so constructed and ar-' ranged suchthat ,upon a-preselected order or vertical movement of said contactors saidtongue and deflectorelements-will be adjusted to a prej'determined position. I

9. [In a trolleyxswitchingsystem; a pair of pan elements held inv predetermined spaced relationship having a conductor connected to one end of each of said pans; deflectorand tongue elements pivotally mountedon each of said pans;=a pivotally 'mountedj contactor on each of said pans adapted for vertical movement with respectto said conductors; I rod means connecting each of said contactors with its corresponding deflector; :a lost motion connection associating said red I mean with said-contactors; a transverse means connecting said rods;and having means thereon to maintain said rods ina diverging relationship;

and said lost motion -connectionincluding a spring means to provide a predetermined relative motion between said deflectors and said contacators; said. deflector and tongues shiftable to a leyufrog'pans; deflector andtongue assemblies predetermined position; upon a selected order of v vertical'movement of each of said contactor e1e-' mentsi-"J I, i n I 10. In a trolleyswitching system; a pair of trol-,

:pivotally mounted ,onle'ach pam, a conductor connected to each of said panssa contactorfelement merits having v slots therein whose apices extend in the directionof saidlconductors; clevis means lt l rod tend ne-from each of said contactors wits l sp dingglclevismeansand motion connection; atransverse rodextending readjusted position andsaid transverse-rodadapttor adapted to islacdsaid} cleviseson thes ame sides of said v slot such thatupon upward mo- 1 assemblies will 'be shiftedto anadjusted position.

a V slot; conductorsconneoteelto one end of said ,pan; said V slots pointing in th direction of pivoted to each of said pans; said deflector ele i associated with jeach of said slotsand normally disposed on the diverging sides of reach of said;

{between said rods; means to maintain said clevis means on said divergingfsides' of saidivslots; tog- 'gle means tojnormally maintain said tonguesin ed upon the upward motionof ,a elected conta'c-R tion of said contactors saidtongue and deflector" 11. In atrolleyswitchingmechanism; a pairof frog pans; deflectors pivotally mounted on each 7 of said pans 'each of saiddeflectors provided with i said conductors; pin and olevismeansdisposed in said slots and normally disposedonthe dii verging sides of said slots; at contactor vertically 1 r movable with respect to said conductor o'nfeach t ofsaid pans; means connecting; saidcontactors Wand said clevises;'means extending between saidclevises; and adapted upon a vertical movement v i of a selected contactor toddraw the other clevis; tothe opposite side of its Vslo and upon con- 1 tinued upward movement of said contactors to rotateesaid deflectors; and Ineansfto restore said clevises to the" divergin sides 10f said V slots .to restore saidlast mentioned means to their connected to each of said contactors by a1 lost 7 said contactors is first lifted. 1

selectively pivotedupwardly axially moving said original position whensaid contactors have been gravitationally restoredto their original position.

I 14.fIn a deviceas defined in claim13,wh icl i l t includes mea'nstohold said switch means inadjustedposition. i n i i 15., In'a trolley frogshiitingmebhanism; a pair of pans held in aspaced relationship; a pin rotatably mountedin each pan and having a defiector'andtongueelement fixed thereto; means i {to shift saiddeflectors to therebyrotate said tongues and pins relative to said pa'ns which includes a pivoted contactor associated witheaoh of said pans and means connecting said =contactors and said deflectors; means '1 transversely a connecting each of said last mentioned, means; and said contactors and said deflectors being so disposed andarranged such thatsai'd tongues will bewselectively shifted depending upon which .of

pan elements supported in spacedrelationship; a

conductor connected to ea hyor said pans; a tongue and deflector oneach' pan element and pivotable thereon about'a common axis; a con-- tactorelement pivotably mounted on each pan 1 and moval le in a vertical plane; afirst means connecting said contractor and; said deflector on each pan; a second means extending between said first means tomaintain same in a predetermined spacedrelationship; and said contactors when first mentioned means and shifting said deflector and tongue elements after said second means has returned to theiroriglnal position.

12 .In an overhead trolley switch; Ia pair of pan elements; a switch element on each;;pan; a

deflector associated with eachsw itchelement and having a V slot therein; a conductorfeonnected' to one end of each of said-pans; a contactor on each of said pan andvertically;movab1e with Trespect to said conductors; fclevis and pin ele same side of its v; slot as thatof-the other clevis,

'turnedto their-"original position and v means to tion.

restore said clevise i'tovtheir original positiononj the diverging sides of said slots wlien isaidf contactors have beenreturnedto theirhoriginal posi;

i r [13; Ina trolley frog switching devi-cera pair of pan elements ;switch means associatedwitheach pan; a'contactor on each pan adapted for vertical movement; means connecting eachfoflsaid con- 1v tactors with its associated pan switch; means 45 .ments associated with eachof said slots; means connecting said clevises and said-contactors; a

transverse rod connecting'ieach or said clevises c and adapted upon vertical movement of one of said contactors to draw said other clevis "to the 1'? whereupon upward movement of both-contactors will shift said switchelementtoa predetermined position; said contactors beinggravitationallyrepivoted.-

it properly spaced said first means with respect to switching device a pairof pan elements; shiftable elementslassociated with m each pan;*a contactor pivotallyfassociated with each pan; means'mechanically associating each 1 of said contactors with its corresponding'shiftable element; means controlled byone o f fsaid contactors to shift both of said shiftable elements to" the same position; and means to restore saidlast-= mentioned means totheir'original position when said contactors have'heen restored totheir origin nalposition. I Q 7 ;18. ln a trolley switch shifting mechanism; a

pair of panelements held in spaced relationship;

tongue anddefleotor elements pivotally mounted x on eachpan; means to shift-said deflectors" and.

simultaneously shift said tongues relativeto said pans, including pivotedcontactor means oneach oflsaid pans and means connecting said con tactors'jand said deflectors; rod meansfeonnectmg I 'said mean's connecting said contactorsandsaidw deflectors; and said parts being associated such 17; :Ina trolley frog that said tongues will be selectively shiftedfdee pending :upon which of said econtactors is first 5 controlled by one of said contactors toshift both a of saidswitches to the same positiomand means LOUIS anoint/man r I 

